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agnolia .blossoms 
Holly Berries 



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LetitiaVertrees Watki ns. 

(! Mrs., Pullman) 





Class 7^ ^ 3537 
Book. y s4A/3 
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COPYRIGHT DEPOSITS 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND 
HOLLY BERRIES 

SCATTERED BLOSSOMS OF THOUGHT 

IN 

YOUTH'S WHITE MORNING 

AND 

GARNERED BERRIES OF RIPENED YEARS 




BY 

LETITIA VERTREES WATKINS 
(Mrs. Pullman) 






/ 



Copyright, 1911, by 
LETITIA VERTREES WATKINS PULLMAN 






©CI. A 2 03 DCS 



To My Beloved Children 

LLOYD. ELEANOR AND GLEYN VERTREES— WAT KINS 

I Tenderly Dedicate This Volume 

The Author 



COVER DESIGN 

by 
VERA RICHTER 



INDEX 



Page 

Wind of the Great Far West 6 

Thou Teacheth Me 8 

Cosmos 9 

By and By 11 

Lilacs 13 

Lake Helen Florida 15 

Silent Voices 17 

Only a Bunch of Snow-balls 18 

My Pearls 19 

Rosebud 20 

True Self-hood 22 

Inspiration 24 

Love's Message 27 

A Dream 28 

Moonlight on the Old Kentucky 29 

E^ndeavor 32 

A Memory 35 

My Southland 37 

The Home of Robert Lee 40 

The Old Plantation 42 

My Father 47 

Lines Written on the Death of My Niece E. De. L 49 

To My Nieces, Clara and Nettie W. — 51 

My Grandfather's Homestead 54 

The Dying Prayer of an Unloved Child 56 

Obedience 59 

The Way 59 

The Incarnation 60 

Easter Day 61 

The New Song 62 

A Christmas Carol 65 

Up from the Valley 67 

My Angel 68 

Put Up Thy Sword 70 

Thy Word 71 

Time and Eternity 72 

Lines 73 

A Prayer 74 

Memorial 75 

Lenten Thoughts 76 

"If I Were Dead" 77 

Andrew Jackson's Ride 78 

Me an' Marssa Dan 81 

Me and Mine 83 

Weeping Willows 85 



PRESS OF SCHOLL LITHOGRAPHING CO., 
WILLIAMSPORT, PENNA. 



♦IF bring no pompous thought to offer here; 
II No words whose welcome may be based 
upon 
The thesis of the merits of their depths; 
No lofty flight of genius have I hit 
Upon the golden wing of fancy, here 
To pin within the covers of my book; 
Nor yet may you expect to find a feast 
Of wit, keen, floating in the richness of 
Bright repartee in comedy or farce. 
I tender here my humble offering, 
The fruit more of the loving heart and hand 
Than offspring of the learned, mellowed brain. 
The melody of woman's inner life. 
The breathing of deep feeling, faith and love 
Must be its best excuse for being born. 



-5— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 



WIND OF THE GREAT FAR WEST 

What art thou saying tonight, 
Wind of the great Far West? 
Sweeping across the prairie, 
Thrilling the desert's breast; 
Down from the mountain ranges. 
Over the plains of sage. 
Weaving thy tales and legends. 
Out of an infinite age. 

What art thou saying tonight, 
Wind of the great Far West? 
Strong and electric, soul-thrilled, 
Searching each hollow and crest; 
Weaving in spiral banners 
Dust of the winding trail, 
Soft as the siren's wooing, 
Sad as the life's hapless wail. 

What art thou saying tonight, 
Wind of the great Far West? 
Whisper thy prophecy here, 
Here in my heart of unrest ; 

—6— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 



Cool its pulsations of pain, 
Answer to its desire 
Shall life ever satisfy 
Or life's energy tire? 

Hear what it whispers to me — 
Wind of the great Far West, — 
"Who hath not all needs fore -filled 
"Solves life's deep problem best. 
"Energy's tireless strife 
''Reaching from earth to the sky 
'Teaches the soul at last, "this 
Life shall not satisfy." 

What art thou saying tonight, 
Voice of the infinite. 
Reaching from nature's pages 
Into the living spirit? 
Out of the depths of the Soul 
Rises the prophecy 
After the resurrection 
Life shall then satisfy. 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

THOU TEACHETH ME 

The language of the sea 

Was new to me ; 
Thou taught me how to read 

Its wondrous words, — 
There where the grey sea-weed 

And tinted shell 
Lay strewn upon the shore 

Where thou didst lead ; 
Where screamed the wild sea-birds, 

Mocked by the roar 
Of each incoming swell 

That rose and fell. 

The language of the sea 

Thou taught to me 
Can never be unsaid; 

The sea-gull's scream, 
The shells, the wild wind's roar 

May pass away 
And ''ocean yield her dead," 

But that sweet dream 



-8- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

By the bright waves' restless play 

That came to me 
Is written on the shore 

Eternity. 



COSMOS 

O, rocky cliff and woodland, 
O, verdant plain and hill, 
High-born of mystic Being 
Obeying His grand will, 
My stay with thee is finite. 
My life is but a span, 
While thou through time enduring 
Hast lived since time began ! 

The thought oft' rushes o'er me 
While wnth thee I commune. 
Why livest thou forever 
And perish I so soon? 
Sublime the Craftsman's knowledge 
That fashioned thee so fair; 
How can I know His resource 
And of His wisdom share? 

—9— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

Thou givest me the touchstone, 
O, Nature, trust for trust. 
Life's mystery when unraveled 
Is not of crumbhng dust. 
When thou art hurled in chaos, 
Each crag and river's wind. 
When hushed thy myriad voices 
I'll know my life is Mind. 

Fair Nature! though so perfect, 
The Soul outrivals thee; 
Thou hast but Time for master 
/ have Eternity. 



—10- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 



BY AND BY 

Is thy burden heavy; 
Hast thou pain and sorrow; 
Seems thy pathway rougher 
On each coming morrow? 
Have thou courage, Friend, 
All these shall end 
By and by. 

Hast thou precious loved ones. 
Hearts to thee belonging? 
Forget not the lone ones 
On life's highway thronging. 
Speak, oh tenderly, 
It may strengthen thee 
By and by. 

If thy lot is regal 
And thy home a palace 
To the poor and and hapless 
Let not thy heart grow callous. 
For these, and night and day 
Shall pass away, 
By and by. 

—11— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

Every spirit groweth 
By each day's fair measure, 
And His records showeth 
Of thy work and leisure. 
Oh, let those pages gleam 
Fair as some dream 
By and by. 

Bring thy sheaves, Achievement; 
God doth hold the balance. 
By the light He to thee sent 
He will judge their value. 
Work, nor pause to weep, 
For all must reap 
By and by. 



—12— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

LILACS 

I stood in the flush of the morning 
Where the ghnt of the sunHght fell 
On the emerald blade of the iris 
With its bloom like a tinted shell. 
I heard the low murmur of grasses 
And the sound of a footstep fall 
On the turf at my side 'neath the lilacs 
Beside the old garden v/all. 

My world was a royal kingdom 
Arrayed in fair garments that day, — 
The iris and lilacs in purple, 
Each heart-throb asserting love's sway. 
My king 'neath the lilac tree standing, 
Debonaire and handsome and tall. 
Was whispering, '*My darling, I love you," 
Beside the old garden wall. 

The scent of those purple lilacs 
That was thrilling my senses through 
With its charm, on that early May morning 
While the sun glinted down on the dew. 



i; 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

From my memory has never vanished ; 
Its sentiment never can die, 
For the soul of the flower is perfume 
Which death and decay will defy. 

When my spirit grows weary with waiting 

For youth's promises unfulfilled 

I turn to the the poor faded flowers : — 

The aroma they once distilled 

Floats dreamily over my senses 

With its exquisite olden thrill, 

And I think as the fragrance of flowers 

So love clings to womanhood, still. 



■14- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

LAKE HELEN, FLORIDA 

Fare-thee-well, O, fair Lake Helen — 
Sparkling 'neath the southern sky, — 
For I turn my footsteps northward 
And my leave of thee draws nigh. 

I would sing once more my carols, 
I would dip again the oar, 
I would drift upon thy bosom 
Out beyond thy green-leaved shore. 

I would prophecy sweet memories — 
Memories sacred that endear — 
That shall cluster round my heart-strings 
In each coming untried year. 

I may drift serenely onward 
O'er earth's measured sea of time, 
But ril dip the oar of pleasure 
In no fairer, sunnier clime. 

Friends may fail or spurn or leave me. 
May not read the soul that burns 

—15— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

Bright and glowing with a purpose 
Purer than the tongue that spurns; 

But I know thy heart, O, Nature! 
Mine beats close with every throb, 
Be it lilt of love's sweet song-burst 
Or pain 's plaint — an unvoiced sob. 

While I sail life's short spanned lakelet 
Reaching towards Eternity, 
Not a shadow dear Lake Helen, 
Shall arise with thoughts of thee. 

Now, farewell, thou sun'^kissed waters! 
Soul to Soul commune with me! 
Oh ! The inspiration gathered 
Comes from out Infinity. 



16- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

SILENT VOICES 

There is not a star that twinkles 
In heaven's clear, calm sky 
But speaks to me assurance 
Of life that cannot die. 

There is not a dew-drop glistens 
O'er all the the glens and hills 
But wakes my soul to gladness 
And all my being thrills. 

There is not a flower that bloometh 
In form and color rare 
But whispers to me softly 
God's love is every where. 

There is not a faint soft zepher 
E'er stirs the twilight hour 
But wakes my sense of music 
Caught from celestial choir. 

And not a wave rolls onward 
In ocean's mighty deep 
But voices my own earnest 
Of faith in God to keep. 

—17— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

ONLY A BUNCH OF SNOW-BALLS 

Only a bunch a of snow-balls! 
But I touch them with loving care, 
For in each petal 's pureness 
I can read a sweet message there. 

Only a bunch of snow-balls 
That was placed in my hand today, 
Placed with that smile of gladness 
That chases earth's darkness away. 

White as the driven snowflakes 
Are these flowers of purity; 
Pure as these flowers, her heart is, 
For her face is its surety. 

Only a bunch of snow-balls! 

But back of the deed is the thought, 

As in her face of beauty 

Is the glory our God hath wrought. 

Frail are the lovely flowers 

To the sensuous human eye. 

But in the realm supernal 

Is love's thought that can never die. 

—18— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 



And the sweet lesson gathered 
From the gift, and the giver, too 
Are in my soul's own Being 
Reflected, living and true. 



MY PEARLS 

I have a string of pearls 
On memory's golden thread — 
Each one a sacrifice, — 
The living and the dead. 

The purest and the best 

I find within my soul 

When S-e-l-f lies bleeding, crushed 

Upon a rock-girt shoal. 

Be swift, O heart of mine. — 
With memory's tears still wet — 
To count Love's slefless pearls, 
Lest thou shouldst e'er forget. 



—19- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

ROSEBUD 

He, passing, touched a floweret 
That grew upon his way 
And murmured one word only, 
''Rosebud," one idle day. 

It fell like dews of evening 
Where all day long the sun 
Had cast his fiery glances 
Upon some tender one. 

He came again, low bending; 
His breath upon the air 
Soft stirred the waking floweret 
Like an unspoken prayer. 

As drops the rain of heaven 
In grateful, gentle shower, 
To every soul awakening 
There works some subtile power, 

To quicken its unfoldment 
And latent gifts expose; — 

—20— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

From mysteries of the Rosebud 
Burst forth the perfect Rose. 

He saw, and every fiber 
Quivered with strange unrest. 
He plucked it in its freshness 
And pressed it to his breast. 

*'I know that I must perish," 
Whispered the trembHng flower, 
''But to thee, my inspiration 
"Shall never lose its power; 

"The bloom of leaves may wither, 
"Bright petals fade and die, 
"And perish that which renders 
"A joy to the human eye, 

"But th' faith of love within me 
"Shall evjer cling to thee, 
"Wear it within thy bosom, — 
"Star of Immortality!" 



—21— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 



TRUE SELF-HOOD 

When the silver sands of time 
Mark the daylight's near decline 
And the brilliant wes;tern glow, 
Tint by tint, to somber flows, 
Yet, before the darkness creeps 
Over meadows, hills and steeps; 
When each object half reveals 
Half its shadowy form conceals, 
Then it is in soUtude 
Awesomely I sit and brood, 
While my soul within me grows. 
Melts, expands and grandly flows 
Out beyond all taint of earth. 
Into sense of spirit birth. 

Then I feel a hidden hand 
From some fair and mystic land 
Lead me on and on and on ; — 
Beautious vistas seem to dawn. 
Crowding thickly, thought on thought. 
Fairy worlds in vision wrought. 

—22— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

Incomparable the gift 
Which doth thus the spirit lift 
From the lower thoughts of life, 
From the petty cares and strife 
Into realms of higher thought, — 
Joys which gold has never bought, — 
Joys which coarser minds to share 
Never give a thought or care. 

Oh ! Steal not from me this holy hour. 

With its soft and subtile power! 

Leave me thus at day's decline 

To commune with soul of mine! 

Panoplied in vestments white 

I find my Soul! O radiant Light! 



—23- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

INSPIRATION 

Once upon a summer morning 
In the glow of early dawning, 
Lone, I wandered by the sea. 
Winds from off the restless ocean. 
In its ever ceaseless motion, 
Spake in mystic words to me. 

'Neath my feet the sands were glistening, 
And the dunes like ramparts bristling 
With the Spanish bayonette 
In the fore-ground of palmetto, 
And the sea bird's shrill falsetto, 
To the waves ' wild music set. 

Restless as the surging ocean. 
Tempest tossed by creed and notion, 
I had sought o'er earth to know 
What is peace and satisfaction ; 
All endeavor brings reaction, 
Every joy its after-woe. 

I had trod the peril passes 

Of the ice-locked, frozen masses 

—24— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

For an Elderado bright ; 
And had quaffed the cup of pleasure 
In fair isles, whose cherished treasure 
Is the tale of love's delight. 

But the hell of earth around me 
To my restless being bound me 
With its self-forged iron chains, 
Whether in the croudedcity, 
One with man in mirth or pity 
Or on solitary plains. 

Now, in morning's distillation 
Drinking deep of inspiration. 
With no human presence near, 
All the past seemed futile striving. 
As on holy wings uprising 
I found ivithin me heaven's sphere. 

From my inmost being welling 
Thoughts too deep for human telling, 
While I stood beside the sea. 
All the sense of sight beholding 



-25- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 



Seemed to be God's own unfolding 
Conscious in humanity. 

Truth, the wisdom of the ages, 
Sought by church and ancient sages, 
Is contained in Holy Writ. 
God is Mind, and Mind revealing 
God as all, down centuries pealing, 
"Man's true source is th' Infinite." 

Lo! the quickened sense of seeing 

God as Life, filled all my being 

With a restful peace; 

In the Holy Incarnation 

Saw I God and man's relation. 

Which from death is man's release. 

Thus, the ocean, wildly roaring. 
And the sea-gull upward soaring, 
Glistening sands and fluted shell, 
Tropic breezes e'er caressing 
Verdant shore, all things expressing 
More than human speach can tell. 

—26— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

Thus I saw that in his brother 

Each man sees, in truth, no other 

Than is measured by his rod. 

Wealth of love to others being 

Is the joy within us singing, 

"Be still and know that I am God." 



LOVE'S MESSAGE 

Light as the lilt of the bird 
And deep as the fathomless sea 
Comes from the infinite bosom 
Love's message to you and to me. 

Fragrant as buds that unfold 
And modestly blush in the lea, 
Strong as life's current untold 
Is loves message to you and to me. 



—27— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

A DREAM 

They met. The unawakened Past, the pain, 
Dumb-voiced ; the hidden Want, that ghost- 
like — stalked 
Beside each soul, like pent up waters, when 
Some hapless, broken bar gives biirth unto 
The maddening torrent, rushed in one wild 

swell — 
Love's trembling passion — over each, as hand 
Clasped hand. They parted. But the brok- 
en bar 
Could never be replaced. The mystic spell 
Could never more be lifted off the Soul 
Of each who walked earth's dreary waste alone. 



—28— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

MOONLIGHT ON THE OLD KENTUCKY 

Harken to me, Old Kentucky, 
F'or thou still art dear to me; 
Look not in such sullen anger 
On the smiles I wreath for thee; 
Curb thy swollen rage and fury, 
Don thy old serenity, 
For I've come again to greet thee, 
Fill my ideality. 

Ah! I knew I was forgotten 
By each human old-time friend. 
But methought thy gentle waters 
Would remember to the end. 
For I evermore shall love thee, 
Wheresoe'er my footsteps wend, 
But I see I am forgotten 
By Kentucky, once my friend. 

Listen to me, Old Kentucky, 
While I whisper in thy ear, 
W^hen upon thy placid bosom 
Thou to me became thus dear; — 

—29— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

When I glided o' er thy surface 

In the summer of the year; — 

O'er thy smooth and mirrored surface, — 

In the summer of the year. 

Dost thou not, dear stream, remember? 
It was when the day was o'er. 
And the moonlight cast weird shadows 
Of the trees along the shore. — 
Cast weird shadows on thy bosom, — 
Where we drifted near the shore. 
While our spirits quaffed the music 
Of the softly dipping oar. 

Not a shadow, dear Kentucky, 
Lay upon my glad heart then, 
Not a shade of coming sorrow, 
Stole across my bosom, when 
On thy waters fell the moonlight 
And the shadows in the glen, — 
Dreamy moonlight, dimpling starUght, 
Casting shadows in the glen. 

—30— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

Surely, River, thou rememberst, 
For a spell was on my heart, 
Deep and vital as thy waters, 
Spell that never can depart. 
Human eye could not divine it. 
Nor the cunning rod of art, 
But the magic rod of nature 
Surely read my spell-bound heart. 

Ah! I'm sure thou must remember 
For thou cooled my love-charged vein ; 
Laved my forehead with thy waters, 
Dipped my trembling hand again. 
Oh, the rapture of those moments, — 
Held in love's own first sweet thrall. 
When reposing on thy bosom, — 
Moments long since past recall. 

I, like thee, have drifted onward 
In the channel of my life; 
Overswept great surging sorrows 
In life's ceaseless battlestrife. 



-31- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

And like thee have kissed sweet flowers 
Blooming o'er the bordered way, 
But my memory's drifted never 
From that spot of love's sweet lay, — 
Oh, my memory lingers ever 
On that sweetest dream of day. 



ENDEAVOR 

Once I dwelt in a land Utopian, 

Beyond this terrestrial plain. 

In my dreamland, fair as the night-pale 

Alham.bra 
Afar in the Spanish domain. 
Dreamed, while I gazed at the granite 

primival 
And ice- polished boulders, that gleamed 
In the summer sun's distillation, — 
That storm-waves had severed and seamed; 
Or I rocked in the lap of fair Southland 
Caressed by her amorous breeze, 
Quaffing nectar from odorous flowers 
That dallied in the shade of her trees. 
—32— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 



Yes, I Dreamed! and my daydreams e *er 

drifted 
As the drifting of desert sands, 
From today to tomorrow, and backward 
On myself, with my empty hands. 
Yes, I Dreamed] but the years bore no 

fruitage. 
Inspiration winged for flight, 
Circled high without rudder or compass 
Or a purpose of steadfast might. 
But I longed to bring forth my Utopia. 
Thought struggled to utter its own. 
And I cried to my Soul in the Highest 
Till its light on my vision shone. 
Then I heard, "I have dwelt in the mountains 
"And traversed the far desert plain, 
"And have carried the wild speculation 
"On battle torn field of the slain. 
"I have ridden the crest of the ocean 
"That ceaselessly tosses and roars, 
"And I guided the bark of Columbus 
"To Bahama's tropical shores. 

—33— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

"I danced with the prophetess Miriam 
"And tempered the cymbral and song. 
*'I beheld the fair wives of Mohamet, 
**And marched with mad war's marshalled 

throng. 
"Though I came with the dawn of Creation 
"And to ages of time belong 
Yet have never unbuckled my armor, 
"Today is my watchword and song. 
Each must work as his Master allotteth. 
"He showeth to each his own way; — 
"To success is through ceaseless endeavor. 
'''Go work in thy Vineyard today.'' 



34— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 



A MEMORY 

Upon a river where the tidal flow 

Of ocean rose and fell; where emerald isles 

Out-spread as fertile spots in desert lands; 

Where, as some spotless thought of purity, 

Arose the heron white, and sea-gull 's wing 

Preened for some seaward flight; — 

'Twas there we spread 

Our canvas sail, and as the birds above 

Cleaving the nether air, we plowed 

The watery way. 

Then, as the birds with folded wings at rest 

Upon the sloping shore, so we at length 

Upon the bosom of the pulsing deep 

Folded our sail and drifted with the tide. 

And drifting thus beyond the green-leaved 

shore 
We sang the old, old story o'er again. 
Accompanied by the wave-toned melody 
Of voices of the sea and sacred hour. 
Oft since, in sailing on life's wondrous stream 
Out near the ocean of Eternity, 

—35— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

My soul, pulsating with the ebb and flow 

Of earth-forged joy and pain, and gales that fill 

The spreading sail, or lay it low, 

I — as the birds their wings enfold the sea beside 

Enfold my toiling thought, and drifting with 

the tide. 
Sing o'er again my songs of long ago. 
The wave-tones as they rise and fall upon 
The golden harp of olden memories, 
Sweep never sweeter melody than that 
Was sung that day while drifting with the tide ; 
Nor white winged bird e 'er rose to typify 
A purer, loftier thought than clothed our love. 



36— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

MY SOUTHLAND 

The snow lies white on the mountains 
And its frosty breath creeps down 
And turns the spray of the fountains 
Into gHnt of jewelled crown. 

The face of the ice-locked river 
Lies fair as a crystal sea; 
Each tree a tremble and quiver 
Of sparkling translucency. 

There 's strength in the trail of winter 
Where old Frost King rides and rules 
With ice-wings outspread, and glitter 
Of merry Christmas yules. 

But oh ! for the sight of pine trees 
With their lofty tufts of green 
Astir in the resined soft winds 
Of my Southland's sunny sheen. ; 

And silken caress of softness. — 
As the glance of love-lit eye, — 

—37— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 



With the touch of tropic moistness 
When cloudlets vault the sky. 

And oh, for the scent of clover 
Midst the tangle of waving grass 
And hazy light of October, 
And the spring spiced sassafras ; 

And matchless bloom of magnolia 
And the holly on the hill, 
And purple petals of hearts-ease 
Abloom by the fretted rill; 

And stretches of reedy lowlands 
Along shore of stream and lake, 
Whence rises the evening cackle 
Of the marsh-hen in the brake. 

And oh, for the sight of moon-glades 
Where softly we dip the oar; 
Or cooling depths of noon-shades 
Where the song birds sing and soar; 

Where love has time for the wooing 
And the home to be hallowed, blessed, 

—38— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

Instead of this busy doing 
Of ceaseless rush and unrest. 

O, Southland! home of my dreaming! 
Thy rich glow of sunset sky 
Is dimmed by the constant beaming 
Of my fadeless mem.ory's eye ! 

It melts the snows of the mountains 
Of life's burdens on my heart, 
And fret-work of frost touched fountains 
Of tears, that tremble and start. 

O, Southland! home of my fathers! 
May thy day-star higher rise, 
Illuming the earnest of future, 
With a sunburst of golden dyes! 

And out of the ashes of grandeur. 
Cemented with unseen tears. 
Shall the hand of the Master-Builder 
Build higher than vanished years. 



—39- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

THE HOME OF ROBERT LEE 

O, stately old mansion of Stratford ! 
Whose walls have re-echoed the rhyme 
And rhythm of heraldic music 
In Virginia's palmiest prime, 
Unsullied the sword of thy chieftains, 
Sheathed only by stern fate's decree. 
By th' waters of proud old Potomac, 
The home of our Robert E Lee. 

Fair Arlington 's chivelric splendor 
Embalming sweet momories! Where truth 
Encircled proud hopes of young manhood, 
Love-crowned, the ideal of youth! 
Both present and and past erudition 
Uniting, in one family tree, 
Are sacredly clasped in thy folio, 
Fair home of our Robert E. Lee. 

Where the finger of duty directed, 
'Though humble the pathway it led ; 
Where courage to turn from fair guerdons 
Of earth-glided luster outspread ; 

—40— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

Where the hands of God's heavenly angels 
Wove chaplets of glory, to be 
Unseen and unknown of earth's wisdom, 
There was the home of our Robert E. Lee. 

In wind-circled tent of mid-winter, 
Where flickering camp fires 'glow 
Presaged on the dimlit soldier's chart 
Fore-casts of his weal or his woe ; 
Where none but his soul knew the angel 
That calmed life's tumultous sea, 
Lol there in God's secret pavilion 
Was th' home of our Robert E. Lee. 

While breezes sweep down from the mountains 

Caressing the leaflet and tree ; 

While stately, historic Potomac 

Glides on to unite with the sea; 

While names of American heroes 

Are numbered with those of the free 

In the pulsating heart of true manhood 

Is the home of our Robert E. Lee. 

—41— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

In the realm of the Holy City 

Are mansions not builded with hands, 

And God, the Almighty, doth light them 

With splendor of Love's jeweled bands; 

Where th' might of Immanual answers, 

Beyond the far tideless sea, 

The prayer of the earth-wearied soldier. 

Is th ' home of our Robert E. Lee. 



THE OLD PLANTATION 

Where the red clay hills of Georgia 
Stretch in gently broked lines, 
And the holly and magnolia 
In the distant valleys wind 
Like a green-hued fringe of splendor 
By the brooklet's low confines, 
And rich dyes of autumn glory 
With the emerald intertwined; — 

Stands an old plantation mansion 
Which I had not seen for years, 

—42— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

Till one autumn day I wandered 
From the city's endless cares 
Back to where my childhood 's fancy 
Once was free, and still endears. 
Then old memories rushing o'er me 
Filled my eyes with unspent tears. 

Now no more the great old kitchen, 
With its wood fire on the hearth. 
Seems to echo with the gladness 
Of the freedom of our mirth ; 
No old Dinah, frying chicken, 
Scolding at her woolly brood; — 
"Huh! yo' Jim, yo' big, black niggah! 
Aint desarvin' of no food, ' ' — 

While she dips a ''beaten biscuit" 
In "de chicken graby pan." 
"Tote dis off yo' lazy niggah! 
Hole hit in yo' thievin' han'." 
''Yo' wants one, too? Good fo' nuffin'! 
Allays stealin' all yo' can." 
Here another reeking biscuit 
Disappears with grinning Dan. 
—43— ^ 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

Then the fields were white with cotton, 
And the darkies, bending low. 
Picked and sang their "Hallilujahs" 
Filling all the vale below, 
Till the merry, dancing brooklet. 
Sparkling in the autumn glow. 
Shouted back the joyous *"lujah," 
To the darkies, long ago. 

In the long white-pillared gallery, 
Odorous with sweet jassemine, 
In the early days of boyhood, 
First I met fair Angeline. 
Here we plighted troth forever; 
Here our long farewell was said 
When I rode to join Lee's army 
On the day we two were wed. 

Still the pillared-gallery's scented 
With the odorous jassamine, 
And the yard pavilion's covered 
With the blazing trumpet vine. 
But the woman of patrician. 
Born of the old-time regiem, 
—44— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 



Reigns no longer in the mansion, — 
Vanished as some cherished dream; — 

For, alas, those days are over, 
And my hair grown white with age, 
Since stern destiny decreeing, 
Wrote for us another page. 
Still, the red clay hills are fruitful 
And the cotton fields are white; 
But the darkies "Hunt de 'possum 
An' de coon" no more by night. 

All "de fiel' hand's," Dan and Dinah, 
Have been scattered too and fro, 
And no longer at "de cabin" 
Dance to tunes of "fiddlin' Joe." 
When their hair like mine is whitened 
Who will shelter them and feed? 
Wandering, thriftless, homeless people, 
Hated by the race that freed. 

Still the stately, green magnolias 
Yield their blossoms in the spring, 
And, a garniture for autum, 

—45— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

Fruitage red the hollys bring. 
Still, the old plantation mansion 
Stands as in my boyhood's prime; 
And the flowers in the garden 
Grow beside the sage and thyme. 

But the glory has departed 
With its gentle, reigning queen 
And its courtly, genial master 
Of the stately old regiem; 
And the happy, care-free darkie, 
Proud to claim his master's home, 
Driven from the old plantation, 
Whither? — O'er the earth to roam. 



46- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

MY FATHER 

(CHARLES M. VERTREES) 

**He that dwelleth in the secret place of the 
Most High shall abide under the shadow of the 
Almighty." Ps. XCI. 
So dwelt my father, *'in the secret place of 

the Most High." 
Through all earth's desert waste of human 
Thought, of human trials, human fears and love 

He knew the Eye 
That "slumbers not nor sleeps" was keeping 
Him, and in the highest of his being sought 

Through prayer his God, 
Till the shadow of the Almighty rested 
On him — a benediction from above — 
While earth he trod. 

As boy, his heart in earnest duty turned 
To those who gave him birth. 

As man, no truer heart e'er beat for wife. 

No toil, no sacrifice of self too great 
For those whose worth 



-47- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

He deemed so high, — his wife, his children, 

home. 
Nor narrow was his heart. It constant burned 

With all embracing love 
For all humanity, whose pulsing strife 
Stirred to its depths his soul, as pain might 

Stir the tender dove. 

And now they tell me he is dead. Not so. 
He is not dead. 

For that which God has given can never die. 

This dream called life,-alternate joy and woe- 
Can never shed 

On Man the doom of death's inheritance. 

God is the Soul of Man. As rays of light 
From out the sun, 

So Mind, The Infinite, sends forth all life. 
And knows its own. 

And man shall wake from out material night 

To know his life — through spiritual sight — 
With God is one. 



48- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 



LINES WRITTEN ON THE DEATH OF 
MY NIECE, E. DE. L. 

Oh, as the sweet remembrance *of some dream 
Divinely perfect; as the breath of air 
At whose soft touch our dreamy senses stir 
At morning 's dawn in the rose-tinted month 
Of June, e'en when the matin sun outpours 
His flood of glory on the dew-dipped blade 
And petals of the opening flowers ; as 
The lilly bud of spotless purity. 
The trusted gardener's tenderest care, scarce to 
The fulness of its beauty blown, ere- while 
The Master plucked it to his bosom. Thus - 
She dwells with us in sweet remembrance, as 
Some perfrct dream by angel vigils kept. 
The Master-Hand stretched forth and bore her 
Home ere blight or seam of sin had touched 
Her fair pure garments' radiant innocency. As 
His gardners, we can only yield his own. 
Yet, still we list' for foot steps, nevermore 
To press this, glad green earth she loved so 
well ; 



—49— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

Wake from our sleep, stretch forth our empty 

arms 
And weep because they fold not to our breast 
The form beloved, wherein had dwelt the pure 
Exquisite soul that beautified that form 

Whose life was love. 
Oh, ''who could deem it meet 
That hfe so fair should have so short a span!" 
But though we mourn her here on earth, we 

know 
Transplanted to a fairer clime, unfolds. 
Beautifies, and lives our Evelyn. 



—50— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

TO MY NIECES, CLARA AND 
NETTIE W 

Little blue eyed fairie, 
Little black eyed sprite, 
Hair of golden sunbeams, 
Locks as black as night ; 

Forms of plump exactness 
Set with dimples o 'er 
Such as might delight us 
Now and evermore ; 

Dancing round so lightly, 
Running in and out, 
Making mouths unsightly 
With a hideous shout; 

Asking, talking, teasing 
Till I often frown, 
Looking quite displeasing 
On a tattered gown. 

Playing with your ''Babies," 
(Silken ears of corn) 

—51— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

Talking great big "Maybies," 
Blisses yet unborn. 

Happy little sunbeams! 
Run and shout and dance, 
Realize your daydreams, 
May years your joys enhance. 

O, my little nieces, 

Though you make my nerves 

Shatter into pieces 

With your twists and curves. 

Yet I'll think with pleasure 
In my ripened years 
Of this summer s treasure 
'Midst your smiles and tears. 

Looking from the present 
Into coming years — 
Like the bright hued phesant 
Soaring in its spheres — 



-52— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

See I two fair maidens. 
Each with beauty crowned, 
Breathing air sweet ladened 
With a love new found. 

ril not judge between you, 
The dark eyed or the fair, 
I would only screen you 
From all coming care. 

Fair courageous Clara, 
Twirling, twinkling Net, — 
Come and kiss me, darlings. 
For my eyes with dew are wet. 



-53— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

MY GRANDFATHER'S HOMESTEAD 
TO MRS ELLA McFARLAND B 

I've visited the homestead, Nell, 
I've slept beneath the roof 
Where years ago the swallows wove 
Their nests with sticks for woof. 
I almost fancied you were there. 
As when in youth's warm glow 
We played together on the lawn 
So many years ago. 

The old farm house is much the same ; 

The painted porch is grey, — 

Grown grey and old and somber-hued, — 

With years, since our day; 

The stately hall is just as wide, 

The ceiling beams hang low,. 

But oh! I missed the faces, Nell, 

We loved so long ago. 

Down by the well the old milk-house, 

That wore an ancient look, 

Has long since disappeared, dear Nell, 



54- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 



Where we oft' comfort took. 
The modest brooklet in the dell 
Still murmurs soft and low 
And mirrors back the leafy trees 
As in the long ago. 

Most ail the village girls are gone,— 

Including you and me: — 

Some dwell in new made western homes ; 

And some have crossed the sea: 

And some are sleeping on the hill 

Where weeping willows grow 

And shed their dewy tear-drops, for 

The dead of long ago. 

And as I wandered through the house, 

The sobbing tears would start. 

Not for the loved ones long asleep, — 

They still dwell in my heart, — 

But for spent years that bear no sheaves 

Of fruitage here below. 

Of hopes unfilled and deeds undone 

I dreamed of years ago. 

—55— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

THE DYING PRAYER OF AN 
UNLOVED CHILD 

My mother! Wilt thou love me when in death 
My lips are mute and motionless? 

Mother! 
How often from the deeps within my heart 
That name has welled — the name that was a 

sob! 
Thou didst not read my soul aright; and so 
I sought companionship in solitude 
Of summer woods and fed my hungry heart 
On lilt of song-bird's voice, or silent flower 
Until my pulse beat one with mother-earth 
And all her creatures. They to me 
Spake soothing mysteries; so full of love 
Yet wordless. 

Pvly sisters with a keener wit 
Have won approvals ' smile I sought — and 

missed. 
But, mother, couldst thou know, my heart 

has been 

—56— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

A tender plant that droops for love 

As flowers need to drink refreshing rain. 

I'm dying now; too soon my days are told; 
I write my prayer for thee before I go. 
A prayer, that when my form is laid away 
Thou 'It speak my name with tenderness; 

and oh, 
'Unsay thy words of condemnation, which 
Within my aching heart were ne'er deserved. 
Forget not that 'twas thou that brought me 

forth. 

Come to my grave in spring time when within 
The loom of earth the tiny roots, unseen, 
In cosmic joy, shoot forth their tender blades 
Weaving, with warp and woof of sun and 

showers, 
Green meadows violetted carpets. And 
When tender buds and leaflets robe the trees; 
Methinks they'll know, and wish to lovingly 
Wrap deeper shades, as silken curtains drawn, 
About my lov/ly bed. 

—57— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

And in the summer's full effulgent glow, 
O Mother ! come and softly breath — for her 
Whose summertime of life in its rich bloom 
Was never known — a benediction. 

And oh, I'm sure thou'lt not forget when come 
The chill autumnal days, for then it is 
That Nature weeps, and all the forests moan 
And sadly mourn their lost and dear dead 

leaves. 
And when the pure white snow-flakes gently 

fall 
On what thou callst a sin-cloyed earth, as now, 
Behold my tomb enrobed in spotless white. 
And know that I — not thine, but God's own 

child— 
In heart, in will, in every longing hope. 
Have been, and am, as true, as pure as spot- 
less snow. 



-58- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

OBEDIENCE 

Obey. Obedience is the law 

Of life eternal, 
And only thus is opened up 

The way supernal. 
In Life is harmony and health, 

And God's perfection 
Must by His law be ever found 

In His reflection. 



THE WAY 

You can see the shadow man 
With your back towards the light. 
Turn your face towards the sun, 
Lo! no shadow is in sight. 

So it is with sin and care; 
Turn your face to God's true Son, 
You will find no shadows there. 
And your heaven will be won. 



-59- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

THE INCARNATION 

I stood as halted Israel's band 

Beside a sea, 
With doubts and fears like Pharaoh's hosts 

Pursuing me. 

Above the waves of unbelief 

The hand of faith 

Unfurled a scroll; 
From spiritual Creation 

It swiftly traced 

Above earth's goal 
Through infinitude, the holy 

Incarnation. 

The troubled sea of unbelief 

Grew sweetly calm; 

Vanished each fear; 
A voice from out the silence spake, * 

"I am that I AMI'' 

''Lo! / aw here. " 



-60— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

EASTER DAY 

"Awake! put on thy strength, O Zion," 

For the Lord, is come! 
The new born earth from bondage loosed, — 

no longer blind and dumb — 
Has seen the brightness of the glory of 

the risen star. 
And on this Easter morn across the 

eastern sky the bar 
Of spiritual light, illumines man 

and lifts desire 
To holier thoughts and deeds, and song 

caught from celestial choir. 

Awake! Awake! put on thy strength 

O child of God, 
And thou shalt be with Truth and Love 

and understanding shod. 
And with the consciousness of the eternal 

Christ, — baptized 
In Him, — shalt be no more a worm 

rejected and despised. 



-61- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

The Comforter is come, and we have 

learned the song, and sing, 
Of joys triumphant, for the earth has 

720W received her King. 



THE NEW SONG 

Along a sHppery path. 
Darkened by human wrath 

And pride and lack, 
I trod a toilsome way. 
At times a gleam of light, 

A little ray 
Of Truth shone through the night 
And Love whispered, ''fear not, 

Nor look thou back." 
But close beside me strode 
The Adam fear, and sense 
Of Self, and cast on me 

Its human load. 

Thus on, now up now down, 
I strove to win a crown 



-62- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 



Beyond death's door. 
The labyrinth of Greed, 
Of Rituahsm, Creed, 
And intellectual Pride 

Oft tripped me up, 
And stumbling I lost my guide. 

At length I spied afar 

A gleaming, new-born star, 

And from the mountain height. 

Where shone the light, 
I heard a joyous song 

Of spiritual need 

Without a creed. 
Ere long the glad refrain 
A thousand voices caught 

And echoing rang. 
All tremulous with joy. 
Heralding the new-born King. 

The New Song, new to me, — 
Though old as life itself — 
At first I could not sing, 

—63— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

Nor the glorious light could clearly see, — 

Blinded by earth's alloy. 

But when I caught the strain 

And with Christ's eyes beheld, 

I lost my sense of Self 

And of this earth-won pelf; 

While dogmas, Creeds and Fears 

Vanished, as vanish years. 

I woke at last 
To know I had no past. 
To know the dread suspense 

Was but a dream, — 
Only a dream of sense; — 
Never to backward look 
Over the paths mistook; 
Never to cry with want, — 
For God's the constant Font; 
Never to tread alone, 
For in His Love, complete 
My own I meet. 
In God, the perfect One. 



-64- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

A CHRISTMAS CAROL 

Give me, O Father, the water of Life; 
Hide me, I pray thee, from danger and strife; 
Feed me with goodness that yet I may grow 
More like my Saviour, the humble and low; 
Breath in my spirit the essence of love; 
Fill me, pervade me with light from above; 
Lead me through pastures that tell of thy 

Word,— 
Down by still waters where millions have 

heard. 
Mellowed as music of silvery chimes, 
Murmured and echoed unnumbered of times, 
" Peace on the earth and good will unto men, 
Jesus is born in Bethlehem. " 

Give me, dear Father, the faith to behold 
The promise the star in the East foretold; 
Be thou my mentor through pleasure or pain; 
Grant that for me thy Word be not vain; 
Give me the impress of Truth on my heart; 
More of thy Grace to my spirit impart; 

—65— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

Make me as pure as to mortals 'tis given 
Treading in meekness the pathway to heaven. 
Bless me to-day while glad anthems are sung, 
Now while sweet harps to thy praises are 

strung. 
High on the mountain top, deep in the glen, 
''Peace on the earth and good will unto 

men. '' 



66- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

UP FROM THE VALLEY 

I have stood on the heights of the mountain 

And caught glimpses of glory from God. 

I have drunk pure draughts from Life's 

fountain 
Treading soft where His angels have trod. 

But before I caught views from this mountain 
I had ''bowed to the chastening rod;" 
I had drunk of the bitter from fountains 
In the Valley of Earth and its Clod. 

Would you dwell on the heights of this 

mountain 
And commune with the angels of God 
And eternally drink at Life's fountain? 
Be unselfish, Truth-armored, Love-shod. 

In the meekness and might of the Spirit 
Is the Truth that illumines the way 
And the love that to Love ever leads us 
Till the Light fades no more from the Way. 



-67- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

MY ANGEL 

At the door of a sepulchre, 
Where lay buried the sweetest dream 
Of my human desires and hopes, 
I beheld the bright pinions gleam 
And was touched by the guiding hand 
Of an Angel of wondrous Presence. 

It led me beyond the dry sands 
And dead bones of earth's desert. 
Beside living waters, through lands 
Of new promise and green pastures, 
Where night dimmed never that glory. 

Would you know the name of my Angel? 

The name of that Presence no tongue 

Of mortal hath ever spoken, 

So hallowed and precious, 'tis sung 

Only within the hushed Silence 

Of Spirit. 

Its form hath been seen 
By no eye of the human. 



■68- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 



For sense may not part back the sheen 
Of its wondrous glory. 

Nor can it be touched by the heart 
Still bleeding for buried treasure. 
For this Angel of Life hath no part 
In earth's sensuous pulse-beat of pleasure. 

At the ''door of the tomb of the past, " 
Thou canst rise with this Saviour 
Only when thou art willing to grasp 
Firm hold of the Allness of Spirit 
And consciously crucify Self, 
The serpent of Sense. 

In each soul dwells the name of this Angel. 

In the inward and upward soaring 

Of thought it shall ever be nigh. 

Rise, then, in the highest of Being 

To meet the Most High, 

Where no sense of the mortal hath trod. 

For 'tis here dwells the name of my Angel, 

In the glorified Trust in God. 

—69— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

PUT UP THY SWORD 

(ST. JOHN'S GOSPEL XVIIL) 

" Put Up thy sword into its sheath. " 
Not thus the spirit strives, 
But by the sword invisible 
The Christ forever Hves. 

" Put up thy sword into its sheath, " 
There is a power on high; 
The cup the Father gives to drink 
Is Life and Victory. 

What though this temple be destroyed? 
The living Word am I. 
The Word hath power to build again 
And mortal law defy. 

'' Put up thy sword into its sheath, " 
O, striving world of pain! 
Let go of Self and grasp the Truth 
If thou the goal wouldst gain. 

The Truth is God. His law is Love. 
Love bears the sword of Light, 

—70— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 



Which hath a keener edge than steel 
And vanquishes death's night. 

" Put up thy sword into its sheath. " 
''All power is given to me. " 
That which the Father gives the Son 
The Son bestows on thee. 



THY WORD 

The treasures of thy kingdom is thy Word. 

Thy Word is Life. 
Oh speak thy Word in me! As shepherds 
heard 

That watchful night 
So let my consciousness, a living ear, 

Catch the sweet tones 
Proclaiming through the night, Lo! He is here, 

The Prince of Light. 



71- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

TIME AND ETERNITY 

Old Time is but a phantom, 
The image of man's fears; 
The grim and gruesome shadows 
Of limitation's years. 

And when the full salvation 
Upon man's vision dawns 
We'll know that God's creation 
Knows neither night nor morn. 

God is the Life eternal, 
And man the crystal stream 
That flows therefrom, supernal 
And as his source, supreme. 

Go seek that lofty mountain; 
Thy stream of life shall be, 
As beauteous as its fountain. 
'Tis all there is — To Be. 



—72- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 



LINES 

What art thou, immortal Man? 
Dost thou call thy life a span 

Of troubled years? 
Hast thou never heard, ''I Am 
In the tempest, bringing calm 

To mortal fears? 

Shut the door of human sense; 
Lo, within the vast expanse 

Of the Supreme 
Thou shalt know '' I AM " is ail 
Eternity, and never yields to call 

Of earth's false dream. 



-73- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 



A PRAYER 

Heavenly Father, loving me, 
Lift my thoughts on high to thee. 
In the light of Truth and Love, 
Which I apprehend above. 
Is no room for matter's claim; 
Error hath no place or name. 

For ' ' within thy light we see 
Light" which bids all darkness flee. 
Knowing all in all is Mind 
Perfect Trust in Thee we find. 
Knowing Love, my God is near. 
Naught of earth can cause a fear. 



74- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

MEMORIAL 

Thou saidst, "I found thee all too late." 
Not so. For with my coming came the 

Truth 
To Thee. The Truth that sets the captive 

free 
From sin, desease and death eternally. 
And though thou didst not wait to prove it all, 
Yet thou wilt not forget that error's thrall 
Had never power over God's own child. 
E'en now thou knoweth that thou hast never 

died. 
Only a journey taken along the shore 
Of time. Only another step within 
The grand unfoldment of the eternal Mind. 
And thou wilt come again to me when both 
Have ''Overcome" and wrought out destiny; 
And "death is swallowed up in victory." 
Not by the journey taken in the change 

called death 
For God is all of Life. His child can never die. 



ro- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 



LENTEN THOUGHTS 

Humbly, Lord, unto the cross I cling. 
Humbly to my Master would I bring 
Heart repentant for each wrong e'er done, 
Or for life's achievements not yet won. 

In the agony upon the cross; 
When thy followers deemed thy life a loss; 
When within the narrov/ tomb low laid 
Thou the debt for me and others paid; 

When thou worked alone within the tomb, 
Knowing God as life dispelled the gloom. 
And those energies of life divine 
Which thou claimed, may I not claim as mine? 

If I do the works thou gavest me 
May I not that resurrection see? 
Humbly then, I fast from pleasures vain, 
Thus with Thee some higher joys to gain. 

Let me drink thy cup of woe, Dear Lord, 
If thereby I learn to speak thy word. 
Let me die to self and live in Thee, 
Finding life in humble fealty. 
—76— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

**IF I WERE DEAD" 

If thou "wert dead what difference would it 

make?" 
But thou canst never die, nor canst thou 

"wake." 
Earth's sunshine and earth's men may pass 

away ; 
Friends may or may not ''Grieve for thee a 

day;" 
The flowers no longer bear their fragrant 

blooms; 
And cease the tread of feet within these 

rooms; 
And busy Nature take no thought nor care 
That thou no longer tread this thoroughfare. 
Nay, busy Nature may, herself, desolve 
And back to chaos smiling earth resolve. 
But thou canst never die. Immortal man! 
Nor can that ''wake" which never sleeps. 

This span 
Called life but symbolizes life itself. 



-77- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

And sun and moon and stars, and flesh and 

blood 
Are but the symbols of the mighty Whole 
That pulsates life, — and is the Life and Soul. 



ANDREW JACKSON'S RIDE 

Down de red clay road a ridin', 
Jes' beyant ole Tyson's hill, 
I saw Andrew Jackson, mule-back, 
Toten co'n to Jason's mill. 

He wah singin' hallilujah 
When he hyah a ghostes moan, 
(So he say) right in de bushes, 
An' hit jibber, '^Yo' 's alone. " 

Den he hush his hallilujah, 
An' he flip-flap at dat mule; — 
Sho' de God almighty only 
Knows which wah de bigges' fool. 

Dey is slow down at ole Jason's, 
An' de sun wah goin' down 

—78— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

When comes Andy Vv^id his meal-bag, 
Lookin' skeery all aroun'. 

When he come to dem same bushes, 
F'om de hill not fuh away, 
A hoot-owl hoots out, '' Who-te-whoo!" 
"Andrew Jackson," skeert, he say. 

Den he jab he heels laik debils 
*Gin dat critter's ole tough hide. 
An' de critter kick de pebbles 
Till laik Jehu he did ride. 

Den I yell, ''Hyah! whar yo' gwine 
Wid dat picture of a mule? 
Don' yo' know de debil's watchin' 
Fo' to cotch a niggah fool? " 

"I knows all about about dat critter, 
Knows he b'longs to farmer Black, 
An' I'll bet yo' done gone stole him 
F'om de ole man's cattle shack!" 

Down de Run Ole Jerry streaked it, 
Wid dat niggah 's b'ar-foot heel 

—79— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

Diggin' in his ribs laik augers, — 
But dat tough hide couldn't feel! 

Early in de 'ceedin' mornin', 

On my way to Boltonskeep, 

In de crick de mule stood balkin', — 

Andrew Jackson fas' asleep. 

Sho' I shook my sides a laughin', 
Fo' I knowd dat balkin' mule 
All night long had been a standin* 
In de water keeping cool. 

Den I said, ''Yo' upstart niggah! 
I will I'arn yo' how to steal!" 
An' I stripped an' went in cautious, — 
Cotch dat niggah by de heel. 

Den he roll up laik a 'possum, 
Yelled, ^' de debil cotch de niggah fool! " 
Den together wid de meal-bag 
Drapped into de fishin' pool. 



80 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

ME AN' MARSSA DAN 

Ole Marssa Dan one day he said, 
''Go fetch some water cool; — 

Be quick, or I will bus' yo' haid, 
Yo' lazy niggah fool!" 

I crammed a biscuit down my th'oat, — 

I stole hit f'om de pan, — 
Sho' dar wah alius 'nough to eat 

When sarvin' Marssa Dan. 

De cut-glass pitcher den I took 

An' sa'ntered to de spring; — 
I knowd by Marssa's very look 

He wouldn't bus' a thing. 
Hoo — hink\ I smell de cookin' stuff; 

I knowd I'd sop dat pan, 
Fo' sho' I alius had enough 

When sarvin Marssa' Dan. 

Down by de spring I hyah a soun," 

A million trampin' feet, — 
I seed de blue-coats comin' down— ^ 



-81- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

Ten ntillio7i — down de street ! 
Ise skeert until I couldn't stan'. — 

Dem men kicked such a dus', — 
I turned to run to Marssa Dan,— 

De pitcher fell an' bus' ! 

''We'll give yo' fo'ty acres Ian', 

"A mule to plow hit wid, 
" If yo' will show us Marssa Dan, — 

" Yo' po' starved, cullud kid. " 
I stop an' scratch my haid a spell. 

Den said, " Der ain't no Ian' 
" In all dis yearth dat yo' kin give, — 

"Hit b'longs to Marssa Dan. " 

An' den dey tell me I is free, — 

I do jes' what I please, — 
On fo'ty acres Ian' I'd be 

A gen' man of ease. 
Dey went up to de big brick house. 

But foun' no Marssa Dan, 
He slipped off slick as any mouse,— 

An' dey licked clean de pan. 



-82- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 



De Norf win' 's cold; — no home I foiin'; 

My ha'r hits white as snow; 
Dey ain't no vituals layin' roun', 

Laik in de long ago. 
But whar's de fo'ty acres Ian' 

An' mule dey promised me? 
I'd ruther sarve ole Marssa Dan 

Than starve jes' 'case Isefree. 



ME AND MINE 

(A COON SONG) 

Huh ha'r hit am black as tar-drip; 

Huh nose am fiat; 
Huh jaw laik a eight-day pen'lum,- 

But whato' dat? 

She hoes mo' long rows o' cotton 

Dan any coon, 
An' bast-es de roastin' 'possum 

Wid a gou'd spoon. 



-83- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

She dances de mostes dances 

On Christmas night, — 
An' dat causin' me an' Sambo 

To hab dat fight. 

She hab a new dress o' yaller; 

Huh hat am red, 
Wid bright purple bows, becomin' 

To huh wool haid. 

When Linda fus' wo' dat yaller 

Sho' she look nice, — 
De day de cullud parson 

Me an' huh did splice. 

An' now dat de weddin' 's over 

She b'longs to me; — 
I reckon dar'll be no mo' foolin' 

Wid Sam, — tee-hee! 



-84- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

WEEPING WILLOWS 

On a sugar cane plantation 

Two wah bo'n to yearth one night. 

In de cabin wah de darkie, 

An de mansion chile wah white; — 

While de gently swayin' willows 

In de souf-win' from de billows 

Of de fuh-off sea, went sighin', 

Laik some homeless wanderer cryin', 

Cryin, cryin, 
Laik some homeless wanderer cryin'. 

An de mansion chile wah christened 
John Lee Grafton, — Marse John. 
/ wah dubbed dat mornin' Sambo, — 
Fo' 'twas I de cabin bo'n; — 
While de gently swayin' willows, 
In de souf-win' from de billows 
Of de fuh-off sea, sighed kindly, 
Laik a chile a trustin' blindly, 

Blindly, blindly, 
Laik a chile a trustin' blindly. 

—85— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

Marse John went coatin' Mist' ess; 
/, de maid, black Naincy Jane. 
He did honors in de parlor, — 
/ kissed Naincy in de lane, 
Whar de gently swayin' willows 
In de souf-win' from de billows 
Of de fuh-off sea, said, ''Lis'n, 
To de soun' of dat sweet kiss'n, 

Kiss'n, kiss'n. 
To de soun' of dat sweet kiss'n.' 

All de gentry in de kentry 
Came one day to see him wed, 
Den I pluckered up my courage, 
An' to Marse John I said; — 
' 'Hyah de gently swayin' willows 
''In de souf-win' from de billows 
''Of de fuh-off sea keep soughin', 
"Widout love dis life am nuffin', 

Nuffin', nuffiin', 
Widout love dis world am nuffiin'. " 



—86— 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 

''To dis yearth we came together; 
''Both wah named de self-same day ; 
"Tie de knot fo' me an' Naincy 
"While de parson's in de way. " 
Den de gently swayin' willows 
In de souf-win' from de billows 
Of de fuh off sea, went Singin', 
Jes' laik weddin' bells a ringin', 

Ringin', ringin', 
Jes' laik weddin' bells a ringin'. 

In de mansion an' de cabin 
All did feast dat weddin' day. 
Since den, I journeyed long wid Marse 
Down life's 'ventful, changeful way. 
But now Marse John is sleepin' 
'Neaf de willows weepin', weepin', 
An' I's waitin', longin', sighin', 
Fo' my good ole Marse cryin', 

Cryin', cryin', 
Laik a homeless wanderer cryin', 



-87- 



MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS AND HOLLY BERRIES 



In de mansion an' de cabin, 
Each one sarvin' in his place, 
Bo'n an' lived an' died de record 
Of each kindred and each race. 
All mus' sleep, while weepin' willows 
Sing de requi'm. Sho' as billows 
Of de fuh-off sea come sweepin', 
Jes' so sho' on yearth dey's weepin', 

Weepin', weepin', 
Jes' so sho' on yearth dey's weepin'. 

Thus fo'evah an' fo'evah 
Rolls de tide of human sea; 
Dis one comin' dat one goin', 
Jes' laik Marse John an' me. 
Oh, de people! laik de willows 
In de souf-win', from de billows 
Of de livin' sea, am bendin' 
Under joys an' woes unendin', 

Endin', endin'. 
Under joys an' woes unendin'. •? 



—88- 



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